After what K'naan has been through, bless him for trying--the ebullience he extracts from a life much tougher than North Americans can know is worthy of soukous, mbaqanga, the highlife of Ghana's most punishing inflationary spiral.

Those elements ring so true for K’naan that it feels like a distraction when he turns to high-profile guests like the Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (on 'If Rap Gets Jealous') and the Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine (on 'Bang Bang').

Whether he’s lamenting immigration hassles or imagining himself a depressed American kid fighting in Iraq, this Muslim fan of Biggie and Bruce Lee has a common touch. He’s a universal soldier, not an exotic novelty.

Excellent album. This is good music. People need to have an open mind though. I think traditional rap fans will consider his lyrics Excellent album. This is good music. People need to have an open mind though. I think traditional rap fans will consider his lyrics simplistic because he doesn't make obvious attempts to show off with wordplay. Hipsters will think he's too mainstream-sounding (songs are MTV-ish). But overall, it is what it is, a really good rap-pop album that is produced and arranged very well. You can tell much thought and effort was put into it. I love it.…Expand

So yeah, after 2 months of spending time with this album, listening each and every song to death, I still love the album. That says all i haveSo yeah, after 2 months of spending time with this album, listening each and every song to death, I still love the album. That says all i have to say about this album. Unlike those 99% rappers who rap about **** this guy raps about life--about miserable life being lived by millions all over the earth. Each and every song brings with it a new story--and its all really well done. Not one song has disappointed me. I extremely recommend this album. Massively underrated!…Expand

K'naan is breaking into the scene with Troubadour - a refreshing new age hip-hop album in a genre that has largely been full of poor K'naan is breaking into the scene with Troubadour - a refreshing new age hip-hop album in a genre that has largely been full of poor music as of late. He tells a story, he's words have depth and meaning. He is returning artistic merit to hip-hop. This is a must listen for everyone.…Expand

An awesome work - more mature than Dusty Foot, with less anger, some wonderful pop tunes and a great inclusive feeling of redemption via An awesome work - more mature than Dusty Foot, with less anger, some wonderful pop tunes and a great inclusive feeling of redemption via music. Check out the hook of Waving Flag!…Expand

Excellent album K'Naan takes a left turn form the traditional hip hip lyrics and sounds of today and stays true to his intelligent Excellent album K'Naan takes a left turn form the traditional hip hip lyrics and sounds of today and stays true to his intelligent sounds and style while tying in hip hop with, rock, reggae, and African sounds the result is something that appeals to the true masses I give it a 9 because i believe his best work is yet to come keep doing your thing K'Naan.…Expand

Feel good beats with some thought painted on top via the verses of the Canadian-Somalian rapper K'Naan. The super-fun backgrounds Feel good beats with some thought painted on top via the verses of the Canadian-Somalian rapper K'Naan. The super-fun backgrounds sometimes don't match the rhymes and the anti-rap vibe kind of gets tired after a bit, but he still has fantastic stories to tell. Instantly listenable and smart enough for a few replays.…Expand